Tottenham starting XI at Swansea: Spurs missing three massive stars

Striker-Heung-Min Son

The pressure of filling Kane’s spot in the starting XI will fall squarely on Kane. Some might prefer to see Fernando Llorente get another chance to lead the Spurs line, but I think Pochettino is done with the aging Spaniard.

Son, of course, enters the match on a white-hot scoring streak. He plays the position much different from his English teammate, but it’s hard to argue with his effectiveness.

Specifically, Son isn’t as good as Kane in terms of holding the ball up or pressing the opposition. Instead, he’ll look to play on the back shoulder of Swansea’s back line. Expect him to get several opportunities to cut the Swans open that way. If he can convert one or two of those chances, it will bode very well for Tottenham’s chances of advancing.

The bigger key for Son may be trying to replicate what Kane does at the top of Pochettino’s press. If he can wreak a little bit of havoc on Swansea in that regard, it could make this a comfortable victory for Spurs.

Keeper-Hugo Lloris

While there’s a lot of drama about who Tottenham will deploy at striker, there’s little uncertainty regarding Pochettino’s choice in goal. Hugo Lloris will clearly get the start for Spurs.

The Frenchman might be the Tottenham player most desperate to win a trophy. He’s seen more of the club’s recent struggles than anyone else in the current squad. The Spurs captain will put a lot of pressure on himself to carry the club through to the next round without their attacking firepower. Tottenham fans will hope he doesn’t have a lot to do against the Swansea attack.